Which measure is recommended to prevent early bone loss during menopause without hormone replacement therapy?

• A. Milk products should be avoided as they inhibit calcium absorption
• B. You should include weight bearing exercise to your activities
• C. You can spend a few minutes in the sun each day to promote vitamin D production
• D. You can add supplemental vitamin D to your diet

Answer: (B)

Weight-bearing activity directly strengthens bones by loading the skeleton and stimulating bone formation. When you exercise in ways that make you work against gravity—like walking, running, dancing, or lifting weights—the bones respond to that mechanical stress by increasing osteoblast activity and building density. This is especially important after menopause, when estrogen loss speeds up bone loss; regular weight-bearing exercise helps offset that decline and lowers fracture risk.

Vitamin D and calcium play supportive roles: vitamin D helps your body absorb calcium, and calcium provides the building blocks for bone. Sun exposure can help with vitamin D, and dairy products are common calcium sources. But the most immediate, direct preventive effect on bone density comes from the mechanical stimulus of weight-bearing exercise, making it the recommended measure.